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Explore "Tower of the Sun museum" plus Osaka highlights
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Joined 2017
First, this tour takes you to "Tower of the Sun museum" built at the time of EXPO 70 and was renewed in 2018 as a permanent facility. The inside is a spectacular art space with "Tree of Life" created by Taro Okamoto. Actually this tree shows the evolution of life from ameba to human being. Strongly recommended to see the this tower as a hidden gem.
Then you will visit highlights of Osaka as Osaka castle and Dotombori. With all visiting these spots, you will be filled with satisfaction.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel in Osaka
- In the lobby
Tower of the Sun
Explore the inside of the tower and see the "Tree of Life".
Lunch
Osaka castle
See outside and inside of the castle
Dotombori
Enjoy the area of foods and view spots
Ending Point
Your hotel or any requested place
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guiding fee, hotel pick up in central Osaka
your transportation, entrance fee, lunch
Tour Important Information
* Basically public transportation as subway and local train are used. Taxi can be used upon request.
* The tour includes around 6 Kilometers' walk.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
This tour is not available on all days in August.
Important message from the supplier
In case you want to book my tour for two or more consecutive days, please send me a message in advance.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2017
About Tour Guide Rick I.
My nick name is Rick and Japanese name is Ryoichi. I was born and grew up in Kyoto. Kyoto has so many sightseeing spots based on its 1000 year history. I will propose you the "must see" spots from local eyes not only temples & shrines but also alternative side of Kyoto. As Kyoto certified English guide, I will guide you with high hospitality for your satisfactory stay in Kyoto.
1. For the first visitors
I will prepare the tour with selection out of the spots as Nijo-castle, Imperial Palace, Nishiki-market, Gion amusement quarter, Arashiyama area and some temples and shrines of World Cultural Heritage Sites based on your request and taste.
2. For the visitors who want to see more spots than regular tours
I will prepare some unique tours like visiting Fushimi area for Sake brewery and riding classical boat, visiting some traditional handicrafts ateliers, enjoying traditional performing art, etc.
Please make any inquiry for your preferred type of Kyoto guiding without hesitation. I would be happy to propose you with the type of tour that makes your visit in Kyoto unforgettable one.
Credentials:
National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (EN01767)
Kyoto City Licensed English Guide (EN00004)
2nd Grade of the licensing examination on knowledge of Kyoto history & culture
Reviews
Thomas S.
“good guiding and english skills, a little more histoical info would have been nice”
good guiding and english skills, a little more histoical info would have been nice
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Rick I.
Dear Thomas, Thank you for the nice review. I hope Kyoto will be one of your best memories in Japan. I appreciate your comment that I should have given you a little more historical information and I will improve my tour based on your advice in future. Thank you anyway for the tour with me and all of your members were so nice! Best regards, Rick
Philipp Z.
“Fantastic half day early bird tour in Kyoto ”
We took the four-hour early bird tour with Rick and had a fantastic time. He is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide who explained many fascinating and unusual details to us and brought us closer to the culture and history of his hometown. In Arashiyama, we visited the beautiful bamboo forest, the Nonomiya Shrine, the impressive Tenryuji Temple, and the idyllic Ohi River. Finally, we visited the old part and the garden of Nijo-jo Castle. Rick explained the exciting period of the Tokugawa shogunate in a very interesting and vivid way. His English is excellent. He lived in the USA for an extended period. Thank you very much for the wonderful and very interesting tour of Kyoto! Philipp & Dominik from Munich, Germany
Rick I.
Dear Philipp, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad you enjoyed the early morning of Kyoto and I'm sure this is the best timing of the day when we can feel this historical city. I hope Kyoto will be one of your best memories in Japan. Best regards, Rick
Laurent H.
“Great one day discovery of Kyoto with Rick”
We just had a wonderful time discovering some of the gems of Kyoto. Rick was a great guide; very flexible with regard to our interests, pleasant, knowledgeable of the sites we visited and skilled at communicating - use of pictures, English was easy to understand.
Rick I.
Dear Laurent, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad that you enjoyed the tour. I also enjoyed the conversation with all the members and everybody was so nice. I hope your memory of Kyoto will be the one of best memories in Japan. Rick
$343/ per group
More tours by Rick I.
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Full Day Kyoto highlight Tour
This course has four choices. Please select one of the four courses shown below. Rick will guide you deep inside the Kyoto history, culture, tradition and nature in each course. Each course can be customized upon your request as far as possible. Every course has spectacular spots which will satisfy you with visiting Kyoto!
Full Day Kyoto highlight Tour
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Half Day Kyoto highlights tour plus optional Maiko dinner
By joining this tour, you can enjoy main 3 sightseeing spots of Kyoto in around 5 hours. After that you have an option to join Maiko dinner which you can enjoy Japanese cuisine and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) traditional performance in around 2 hours. This tour does not include the time for lunch.
Half Day Kyoto highlights tour plus optional Maiko dinner
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Summer early bird half day tour of Kyoto
The summer in Kyoto is so hot, especially in the afternoon. This is a 4-hour tour which starts at 7:30 AM (or 8:00) for avoiding the heat in the afternoon. The visiting spots are mainly in forests or indoor. Highly recommended to choose this tour from later July to Middle of September. Upon request, I will take you to a nice local Japanese restaurant for lunch without any extended guiding fee.
Summer early bird half day tour of Kyoto
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Fushimi & Uji memorable full day tour from central Kyoto
This tour takes you to the two areas, Fushimi and Uji. Both are a little away from central Kyoto and have the specific atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable away from hustle & bustle in central Kyoto.
Fushimi & Uji memorable full day tour from central Kyoto
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Osaka
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Taste and Tradition: A Guided Food Walk near Osaka Tenmangu
Experience the heart of Osaka in this immersive half-day walking tour that blends history, culture, and local life 9:30: Osaka Tenmangu Shrine 10:00: Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street Walk Take local favorites like Takoyaki and Croquettes 12:00: Explore Nakazakichō for a taste of old Osaka charm and retro vibes. *If we have time, let’s do some shopping in Umeda!
Taste and Tradition: A Guided Food Walk near Osaka Tenmangu
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Osaka Castle Walking Tour with Golden Boat & Shrine Visit
We will stroll through the castle park while I share stories about its history. Then, enjoy a ride on the Golden Osaka-jo Boat, where I will explain the massive stone walls up close. Next, we will visit the Main Tower to explore its samurai exhibits and enjoy panoramic city views. Finally, we will stop at Hokoku Shrine to learn about Toyotomi Hideyoshi and how to pray at a Shinto shrine. I will also take memorable photos for you during the tour.
Osaka Castle Walking Tour with Golden Boat & Shrine Visit
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Tour of Osaka-jo Castle
(Highlights) The present castle building looks beautiful, powerful and in perfect harmony with the surrounding environment. However, it was the venue of hegemony, bloody conflicts and natural disasters for many centuries. Once you visit the castle, you will be amazed at the magnificent structures, huge moats and the beautiful natural environment. The view from the top of the eight-storied donjon is splendid. You can reach there either by going up the steep stairways or taking an elevator ride. The castle is in the heart and the landmark of Osaka city, where many modern buildings stand. (How to enjoy) You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the one-kilometer road leading to the castle after you get off the train and, once inside the precincts, you cannot spare even a moment without marveling at the sight of an ancient technology and human wisdom, as well as the huge rocks building up the protection walls. Not only seeing the buildings, you can also sit on the grass and enjoy having lunch with your family members or friends. (Others) The entrance fee is 600 yen per person and the JR Osaka Loop Line train fare is 300 yen for the ride from Osaka to Osaka-jo-koen station. The fare for the ride between Kyoto and Osaka, meanwhile, is 510 yen.
Tour of Osaka-jo Castle
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Minoh LIGHT-UP Waterfall ＆ Daruma Blessing at Katsuoji
Enjoy a relaxing evening tour combining two beautiful spots near Osaka. First, we visit Katsuo-ji Temple, famous as the “Daruma Temple,” where thousands of red daruma dolls are placed for good luck. Then we head to Minoh Waterfall to see the magical seasonal light-up. This tour is perfect for people who want to enjoy nature, peaceful temples, and unique Japanese culture away from the busy city.
Minoh LIGHT-UP Waterfall ＆ Daruma Blessing at Katsuoji
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